Everyone has a topic they connect with; for Kosta, he attributes the majority of his success to his organization and time management skills. You only have so many hours in the day, and everyone has been blessed with the same times. So, why is it some people are able to utilize those hours better than others? Time management is really “life management.” It’s about getting every aspect of your life under control so you can enjoy the success of your day.
BENEFITS OF TIME MANAGEMENT
Everyone can benefit from utilizing time management techniques, but what exactly are the benefits? You have about 2,000 hours every year that you put into your day-to-day work. If you were to spend just two hours every weekday, utilizing these techniques, you could not only be more productive, but increase your income by 25%. How? Take a look at the formula below:
2 hours per day x 5 days per week x 52 weeks = 520 hours of productivity per year
That’s about a quarter of an entire year’s worth of work condensed into just 2 hours a day. Think about that. If you have a job and you’re able to be more productive by 2 hours per day, wouldn’t your boss notice? Your boss will see the dedication you have and the effort you’re putting in, and he or she will grant you more benefits and a higher salary! Own your own business? Well, these rules apply to you too! 2 hours of productivity every day means a 25% increase in your revenue, 25% increase in your income, 25% increase in the time you put into building your business. No matter what industry you’re in, time is money. Time is precious, and once it’s gone, it’s expired. Focus on utilizing every minute.
Still not convinced in the benefits of time management? Being productive also provides you with these:
- More energy
- Less stress
- More time
These are the results that Kosta has been able to enjoy over the last 20 years of mastering his time management techniques. One of the greatest motivations is pleasure, and that’s exactly what productivity gives you. You feel great about everything you do!
Time management is a tool that allows you to get from point A to point B, like a vehicle. Utilizing these skills gives you the opportunity to be more productive, less stressed, and to enjoy life. That’s what time management is about. It’s a discipline to master your life that allows you to be, have, and do anything you want.
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
Before beginning your task, you should know what you must accomplish. Have the end in sight so you can properly execute your task.
Plan your days in advance. Have you ever suddenly realized the whole day is gone and you haven’t achieved anything? Many people experience this, and it’s commonly caused by one mistake: forgetting to plan out tasks before starting. Have a check-list ready to go so you can stay focused and on-task. You can even plan your tasks the night before so you aren’t rushed to schedule your day.
Of course you can’t accomplish everything at once, so prioritize! What’s the most important task you need to complete? Organize your day based on which tasks are time-sensitive. The least important tasks can be achieved tomorrow or even next week.
Organizing tasks by location helps categorize your time. Get the farthest tasks done first, since those typically take more time. The tasks closest to you can be done the next day. Don’t forget to assign an accurate time-frame to each task so you don’t overbook your day or find yourself running from one task to the next without any time to spare.
REVISIT YOUR PLAN IN THE MORNING
When you wake up in the morning, decide if any of your priorities have changed. Is there anything you need to add to your list? What about anything you need to remove?
Remember not to spend too much time reading emails or exploring social media when you wake up. It’s easy to become engulfed in your phone and lose track of time. Spending less time on emails and messages allows you more time for productivity.
Routine helps keep you on-task too. Kosta is known for his high-energy breakfast, which he has had every morning at 6:30AM for the last 14 years! Give yourself the energy you need with a powerful breakfast in order to be efficient throughout the day.
GET TASKS DONE DAILY
Map your tasks by location so you know which ones you need to go to first. Imagine driving 90 minutes one way, coming all the way back home, and then realizing your next task was 15 minutes from your previous location! Avoid this by prioritizing your tasks by location and importance.
Don’t forget to be as prepared as possible. Have a plan B, plan C, and plan D ready to be implemented. What happens if someone doesn’t show up? What happens if the location is closed? You need to have a plan to avoid blips in your schedule that slow you down. Over the last 20 years, Kosta has become a master at being prepared. If he’s standing in line at the bank or waiting to get his coffee, he’s also making calls. He prepares a task to accomplish every moment of the day to maximize productivity.
CONCLUSION
Time management isn’t an overnight success; it’s a success that requires dedication over time. Kosta’s book, Organic Networker, has a chapter on time management, which you can review for more details, tips, and techniques! Read the chapter and see what you can start applying to your day-to-day life. You have to have the discipline to build a habit. Consider what this could do for you: a simple 2 hours a day, at the end of the year, is over 500 hours of productivity. That’s extra time, extra income, extra energy! Whatever it is you want to achieve, discipline yourself to follow time management techniques consistently and consecutively.